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[Tasmania] The Zinc Works – Producing Zinc at Risden 1916-1991 – Alison Alexander

Commissioned by Pasminco and written by distinguished and thorough historian Alison Alexander.

Large octavo, perfect bound soft cover, 360 pages with about as many illustrations mainly from period photographs.

One of our favourites among our collection of industrial histories of Tasmania.

This a significant business employing many Tasmanians an enterprise of international scale. So much so it attracted the attention of the Japanese during WWII. The Japanese carried micro reconnaissance aircraft on their submarines, and one was launched to photograph the works. Hobart already had anti-aircraft guns on the go – but they did not fire because the didn’t want to expose their position.

Some very good content about the growth and investment and success of the business and some of the lighter side such as the “belching” competitions in the metallurgy department. Well people were easily amused back then

Zinc works – now that’s a real business.

$40.00

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The Train – George Simenon – First UK edition 1964

Published by Hamish Hamilton in 1964 translated from the French of 1961.

A different sort of novel by George Simenon from those familiar with Inspector Maigret. And an especially collectable first edition.

It is 1940 and the German army is on the move in Europe. There is a stampede for trains to escape and no less so than from Fumay. In the chaos Marcel gets separated from his wife and children. He meets Anna and a strange relationship ensues. Finally at the evacuee camp at La Rochelle decision time has arrived.

Simenon and an very moving story on The Train

$70.00

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In the Footsteps of [Captain Robert Falcon] Scott – Mear and Swan

Large octavo, 306 pages, published by Jonathan Cape, London in 1987. Nicely illustrated and with end paper maps.

Robert Swan had an ambition to walk to the South Pole in honour of Robert Scott and his party. He enlisted Mear and another. They were supported by Peter Scott and Lord Shackleton. There were many challenges and they accomplished a number of firsts in their preparation – first up Erebus in the Winter. A really great account.

Swan always an adventurer cycled from Cape Town to Cairo and circumnavigated (if that’s the correct term) the Vatnajokull Ice Cap in Iceland on skis. What fun he had.

Swan all the way to the Pole

$25.00

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Tales of Old Tasmania – Coultman Smith

Published by Rigby in 1978. Octavo, 160 pages, illustrated, fine condition.

First edition hardback of this potpourri of history from many aspects of early Tasmania. Tightly written but satisfying in depth … nicely illustrated

Best quick read Tassie History

$20.00

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Darwinism and its Discontents – Michael Ruse.

Published by Cambridge University Press in 2006.

Hardback octavo, 316 pages, illustrated, a fine copy.

Seemingly, there are still many who are upset with Darwin’s theory of Evolution. Michael Ruse is an expert on Darwinism and consequently these irritation objections. Here he “’brings Darwinism up to date” a bold claim … but on reading we find it a really useful prism through which to revisit Darwin’s work .. well done Ruse.

Darwin updated and objections laid to rest.

$20.00

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Companion to Tasmanian History – Alison Alexander.

A substantial book published by the Centre for Tasmanian Historical Studies at the University of Tasmania in 2005. Presumably a small print run or limited dispersion as every hard to find.

A fine copy in a fine dust jacket. Thick quarto, 568 pages, illustrated and with end paper maps. A very heavy book that may require a postage supplement.

Alison Alexander was the editor of this book the contents of which were written by a number of distinguished Tasmanian historians.

The first 397 pages, after preliminaries is devoted to an A-Z of Tasmanian History the format making if a useful and wholesome reference guide. The reminder is made up of Thematic Articles by numerous specialists … Aboriginality; Britishness; Class; Convicts; Exile; Place; Shelter; Identity etc. It all ends with a good list of aboriginal place names and some less interesting elements to do with the legal system.

All up a very useful all round Tasmanian History reference, up to date but rarely found.

Weighty Tasmanian History by Our Top Historians.

$80.00

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[Tasmania] The Zinc Works – Producing Zinc at Risden 1916-1991 – Alison Alexander

The Train – George Simenon – First UK edition 1964

In the Footsteps of [Captain Robert Falcon] Scott – Mear and Swan

Tales of Old Tasmania – Coultman Smith

Darwinism and its Discontents – Michael Ruse.

Companion to Tasmanian History – Alison Alexander.

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